We have observed with dismay the plight of trafficked children in Ghana and on the African continent in general. We believe that as a concerned organization representing students and youth in general on the continent, it is pertinent that we echo our devastation at the way the responsible governments agencies have tackled this menace. As a union, we condemn all acts of child exploitation as caused by child trafficking. The International Labor Organization statistics estimate over 1.2 million children being trafficked every year around the world. It should be noted that there is no replacement for ones childhood, it is therefore not acceptable in this time and age of Africa’s history that children should be trafficked for labor and prostitution purposes. In a recent visit made to the Challenging Heights Children’s Shelter in Gomoa Achiasi in the Central Region of Ghana during the Ramadan festive season, we were baffled to realize that children as young as 7 years were victims of this degrading trade. The visit was aimed at donating soccer balls to the shelter. Ms Linda the shelter manageress said the donation of the soccer balls would improve the children’s engagement in extracurricular activities and thus act as a means of psychological relief for them. It is saddening to note that over 7,000 children are offering illegal labor on the Volta Lake alone. This denies the children the right to a proper upbringing and proper education. If this trend continues, the campaign to improve the literacy levels in Africa specifically will be futile and the free compulsory universal education initiative will be meaningless if the beneficiaries are trapped in child slavery. It’s thus our plea that the responsible government agencies in Africa especially Ghana ensure that child trafficking laws are enforced and appropriate punishments metered to the offenders in order to serve as a deterrent to others. On the other hand we call upon the media to take keen interest in exposing the menace through their various mediums. We further urge NGO’s engaged in the area of curbing the menace of child trafficking to solve the root cause of this evil trade by employing the economic empowerment model. This model is aimed at alleviating poverty in the affected communities so as to deter parents from exchanging their children for petty gifts and has so far been championed by Mercy project which is an international NGO based here in Ghana. We finally would like to commend the Challenging Heights Shelter home for the good work done in rehabilitating the rescued children and reintegrating them to their communities. Last but not the least we applaud Hyundai motors for the soccer balls they offered through the Ministry of foreign Affairs as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. Awaah Fred Secretary General (Head Of Mission) All Africa Stidents Union +233 243 101 626